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| Simon Ekpa |
Finnish-Nigerian separatist leader Simon Ekpa has been arrested in Finland, along with four others, on suspicion of terrorism-related activities.
These charges include incitement to violence and financing terrorism.
According to local publication Yle, Ekpa was remanded in custody by the Päijät-Häme District Court on charges of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent.
The publication reported that the Finnish Central Criminal Police confirmed the arrests in a statement on Thursday, November 21, 2024, noting that the other suspects were apprehended for allegedly financing terrorist activities.
“The detention demands are related to a preliminary investigation in which a Finnish citizen of Nigerian descent, born in the 1980s, is suspected of public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent,” the police said.
Ekpa is accused of coordinating violent actions against civilians and authorities in Nigeria’s South-East region from Finland, using social media platforms to further his agenda.
Detective Chief Inspector Otto Hiltunen, who leads the investigation, revealed, “The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”
The Finnish National Bureau of Investigation revealed that Simon Ekpa and other suspects, including two residents of Helsinki, are charged with financing terrorism.
This is not Ekpa’s first encounter with Finnish authorities; he was briefly detained in 2023 for alleged fundraising fraud.
Ekpa is known for his separatist rhetoric, notably calling for the disruption of Nigerian elections.
In a viral 2023 social media video, he proclaimed, “No elections will be held! Nigerian elections will not be allowed in Biafran territory.”
Finnish police emphasized the importance of international cooperation in the ongoing investigation, with hearings set for Thursday.
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